Episode 3 of Aldnoah.Zero 2, titled “Toll for the Brave,” is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu for paid members. Free members on both sites can watch this episode less than seven days from now, but you have to suffer through the ads.
The episode starts off with an electronic chess game between Inaho and Darzana, which the former reveals his ability to use the artificial eye to manipulate his brain cells into doing certain tasks. I found that to be unique and freaky at the same time.
It makes Inaho seem less human though, but that was not the only shocking revelation.
Things get interesting for Slaine, who is still treated like garbage by the rest of Vers nobility though he is the vassal of Lord Saazbaum and this could be the government corruption issue that the two of them were talking about.
I was surprised that Saazbaum made his special announcement.
The first half of Aldnoah.Zero 2 felt like the recently released Netflix Original series Marco Polo, with Slaine Troyard being the titular Marco Polo and Lord Saazbaum being Genghis Kahn. I find the storyline of Aldnoah.Zero 2 to be more tolerable and easier to than than Marco Polo, which I kind of regret watching.
This is not a slant on Lorenzo Richelmy, but a slant on the directors and writers of Marco Polo.
The second half of the episode was exciting to watch because of another space battle, which will be the norm in Aldnoah.Zero 2. I was happy to see Inaho and Slaine have their dogfight with each other as the former needs to repay the latter for taking out his left eye.
It is Slaine’s superior mecha versus Inaho’s intelligence and cunning. You can call this the traditional battle of “strength versus technique.” Slaine has the superior firepower and Inaho has the superior tactics & intelligence.
I didn’t expect Saazbaum to join the fight, which made things more exciting because Inaho would have to fight a truly powerful opponent.
It was an awesome battle and was surprised at Slaine’s surprise attack that was meant for Inaho, but hit Saazbaum instead. I was surprised that Slaine planned it all along as a means to get Inaho to do the “heavy lifting” for him.
Yes, Slaine is a complete d—k for what he did.
But, in Slaine’s defense, Saazbaum tried to kill Princess Asseylum. I had no idea why Slaine allowed Saazbaum to live, but I can see that his motives have become apparent. Even if they joined to purge Vers of the corrupt nobility, Saazbaum still wants to take over Earth and do away with the Terrans.
You have to remember that Slaine’s loyalty is ultimately to Asseylum, who wants to prevent war between Earth and Vers. Slaine had the chance to convince Asseylum’s father, but it was a trap laid out by Saazbaum to encourage Vers’ invasion of Earth.
I was moved when Saazbaum took his punishment with courage and bravery as he admitted his guilt of trying to kill Asseylum. It got emotional when Slaine acknowledged Saazbaum as his father at the same time.
The scene makes one want to break into tears.
Slaine has a plan in action, but understands the necessary sacrifices that need to be made. He shows regret and remorse of indirectly killing Saazbaum, which shows the lack of malicious intent.
This was an enjoyable and intellectually stimulating episode. I enjoyed the subplot of a brewing social class revolution, which Slaine and Harklight are secretly planning. The subplots in Aldnoah.Zero 2 are more bearable than the confusing subplots of Marco Polo.
I can compare Slaine to a combination of Marco Polo and Ahmad.
But seriously, I kind of wanted to cry at the scene between Slaine and Saazbaum before the latter accepted his capital punishment.
